[TowerTalk] solid THHN vs jacketed copperweld

[Jim Brown]

On 9/19/2022 2:56 PM, Steve Maki wrote:
> difference between #12 solid THHN and #12 PVC jacketed copperweld 
> (steel) in terms of cutting a dipole

Hi Steve,

Many years ago, our mutual friend David Josephson, WA6NMF, taught me to 
buy bare #8 solid copper at the big box store and stretch it to 
approximate #9 hard drawn copper. Over the years, W6GHJB and I have done 
that 3-4 times. We use it for all of our wires under tension. In 
addition to pretty good strength much nicer handling than copperweld, I 
don't have to lower the dipoles and circumcise them every few years, as 
I did with one that was built with THHN.

We use copper split-bolts for connections.

73, Jim K9YC